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The Wire
20-07-2025
- The Wire
Fauja Singh: The ‘Turbaned Tornado' Who Stayed Committed to His Passion For Running Even at 114
Culture Fauja Singh's cremation will take place on Sunday, July 20, at his native village Beas in Jalandhar district, Punjab. Jalandhar: Fauja Singh, the 114-year-old turbaned Sikh, a global name that would remain etched in the history as the oldest marathon runner in the world, had a desire to breathe his last in his native village Beas Pind in Jalandhar district, a reason why he had started living there for the last five years post pandemic. ' Meri maut Punjab ch howe (I want to breathe my last in Punjab', he had been telling his family members who settled in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Fauja Singh died in a hit and run case on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway on Monday, July 14, after he was hit by a Toyota Fortuner driven by Canada-based NRI Amritpal Singh Dhillon. The cremation will take place on Sunday, July 20, at his native village. The plush house of Fauja Singh in the middle of fields at Beas Pind, Jalandhar. Photo: Kusum Arora While the Jalandhar Rural Police arrested the accused the very next day, Fauja Singh's family was heartbroken at the apathetic behavior of the accused. 'We are thankful to the police for acting swiftly in our case. The police tracked the accused within a day just because my father was a global figure. However, the fact is that had they been acting tough against the traffic violators, many accidents would haeve never taken place. The accused fled the spot without caring to save my father,' said Harbinder Singh, the son of Fauja Singh. Famously known as 'Turbaned Tornado' for completing nine full marathons and breaking his own records every time, Fauja Singh set benchmarks in life with commitment to values like humility, simple food, farming and the ability to overcome setbacks. Born in Beas village on April 1, 1911, Fauja Singh started running at the age of 89 in international marathon events. His first race was the London marathon in 2000. However, as a child he started walking at the age of five. From the year 2000 to 2012, he ran in London, Toronto and New York marathons. He was also the torch bearer of the 2012 London Olympics. Fauja Singh announced his retirement during the Hong Kong marathon in February 2013. He was awarded the British Empire Medal by Queen Elizabeth II in the year 2015 and Ellis Island Medal of Honour, by the National Ethnic Coalition, a US group in 2003. Family members of late marathoner Fauja Singh show a photograph of the latter meeting with late Queen Elizabeth II, at his native home, in Jalandhar, Punjab. Photo: PTI Coming from a family of farmers, Fauja Singh took to farming early in his life with his parents and picked life lessons. Behind his passion for running was the story of the loss of one of his sons, Kuldip Singh, who died after the dhaba roof they were constructing suddenly fell on him. Seeing him devastated after the sudden demise of his son and that of his wife Gian Kaur later, Fauja Singh's family decided to take him to the UK in 1993. It was in the UK that Fauja Singh started going for walks all alone, sometimes in a formal suit, an unusual sight, when a chance meeting with his coach Harmandar Singh brought a 180-degree shift in his life. After that, there was no looking back and Fauja Singh's name became synonymous with marathons. Talking to The Wire, Paramjit Singh, the US-returned nephew of Fauja Singh shared how post Covid-19, he had started staying in his village. He would say jokingly, 'I do not want to come back in a coffin (from abroad).' 'Fauja Singh went to Canada in March 2024 but came back within a fortnight telling everybody that he wants to go back to his village. At home, his routine included walking around the fields, running and meeting people in the village. Even at the ripe age of 114, he used to walk and run for eight to 10 hours every day, a feat which is next to impossible for any elderly person', he said. Paramjit Singh said that Fauja Singh was a brand ambassador of not just marathons but also simplicity. His life will serve as an inspiration for generations to come, he said. 'Despite being a UK citizen, he remained attached to his roots and ate simple vegetarian Punjabi food: in the morning he had alsi di pinni, which is flax seed ladoo made in desi ghee with dry fruits and jaggery and tea, then one chapati, dal, sabzi three times a day. He also had milch animals at his home, giving him the luxury of homemade curd, lassi and desi ghee', he added. Family and friends gather for condolence meeting at the courtyard of Fauja Singh's house in Beas Pind, Jalandhar. Photo: Kusum Arora With a sense of pride, Paramjit Singh mentioned that Fauja Singh was the first turban-wearing Sikh to win marathons in the world. 'There are many firsts attached to his name but he always remained grounded. He was also the oldest marathon runner to have ever appeared in an Adidas ad 'Impossible is nothing' in the year 2004 along with David Beckam and Mohamad Ali', he said, adding that he always attributed his success to rabb, the almighty. Highlighting his philanthropic side in an obituary in The Indian Express, former state information commissioner of Punjab, Khushwant Singh, who has also authored his biography titled Turbaned Tornado: The Oldest Marathon Runner Fauja Singh, shared how Fauja Singh donated the endorsement fee from Adidas-sponsored Marathon to a UK-based charity called Bliss. During the 2016 Mumbai Marathon, he sent the fee amount from the Nestle to Pingalwara Trust in Amritsar, a home for the orphans and the destitute, Khushwant Singh wrote. Not just the endorsement fees, he would also donate cash showered on him in various gurdwaras as a mark of honour in the cash box. Balbir Singh, a family friend of Fauja Singh, who was the first to rush him to the hospital after the accident, told The Wire that when People's Walk against Drugs was held in Jalandhar in December 2024, he ran and walked for 20 kilometres at the age of 113. 'We kept pleading him to stop and sit in the car but he was comfortable, astounding everybody with his stamina', he added. Harbinder Singh said that during the farmers' protest, as part of Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee, a farmer union, he stayed at Singhu border while Fauja Singh and other villagers donated a solar panel, when the government had snapped power supply to the farmers. 'Apart from ration and funds, we took a solar panel in a tractor to Singhu border ensuring power supply to the farmers', he shared. Fauja Singh's plush house in the middle of fields in Beas village was also a testimony to his love for farming and life in the lap of nature. His house adorned two Pilkan trees, under which he used to spend his summer days and a mango tree, where his mornings began by picking the best mangoes. Fauja Singh's shoes bearing his name, which he used to wear daily for walking and running in the village. Photo: Kusum Arora His granddaughter Japneet Kaur (16) shared how Fauja Singh was fond of mangoes, so much so that he used to hide them in the house for natural ripening but then forget quite often. 'We found a mango kept in his almirah in his clothes two days after his death. Every morning, he used to pick the best mangoes and hide them in the house for ripening,' she said. Japneet also shared that despite being illiterate, Fauja Singh could do his signature in Urdu language. 'He learned to sign in Urdu, a rare talent these days. For the past some time, I was teaching him English alphabets and he had learned it till 'H'. I also taught him how to pronounce the alphabets and he would keep repeating A, B, C, D whenever he saw me….,' she said with a smile on her lips and grief in her voice. Showing his marathon shoes bearing his name, which he used to wear daily, Japneet said, 'Quite often he would look at his shoes and point towards his name, Fauja Singh, with a smile. He loved walking and running and he left the world doing what he loved the most – a walk around the village.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Who was Fauja Singh, the 'Turbaned Tornado' who ran a full marathon at 100?
Veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh, who became the world's oldest person to complete a full marathon at the age of 100, passed away on Monday after being struck by a vehicle in Jalandhar, Punjab. He was 114. Singh was out for a walk in Beas village when he was hit by an unidentified vehicle, suffering severe head injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries, news agency PTI reported. His death was confirmed by author Khushwant Singh, who wrote 'The Turbaned Tornado', a biography of the celebrated athlete. A life of endurance and inspiration Born on April 1, 1911, into a farming family, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four siblings. According to his biography, he was unable to walk until the age of five, but later built resilience working on farms and credited his strength to family support and faith. Fauja Singh moved to London in 1993 after the death of his wife Gian Kaur, to live with one of his sons. It was during this time that he took up long walks and running in public parks—habits that would spark an extraordinary late-in-life athletic career. Record-breaking marathon journey In 2000, at the age of 89, Singh ran his first marathon—the London Marathon—after meeting coach Harmandar Singh. Between 2000 and 2011, he completed nine full marathons, including six London Marathons, two Toronto Marathons, and the New York Marathon. He became the first person aged 100 to finish a full marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011 in 8 hours and 11 minutes. Singh also participated in 10-km races globally, including in Hong Kong and Lahore. His participation in the Lahore event drew praise from then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Honours and legacy Fauja Singh was honoured with the Ellis Island Medal of Honour by the National Ethnic Coalition in the US in 2013. In 2015, he received a British Empire Medal for his contributions to sports and charity. He was also chosen as a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, a testament to his global recognition and inspirational journey. Singh retired from competitive running in 2013 but continued to be an icon of perseverance, often seen advocating fitness and mental strength for the elderly.
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Who was Fauja Singh, the 'Turbaned Tornado' who ran a marathon at 100?
Veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh, who became the world's oldest person to complete a full marathon at the age of 100, passed away on Monday after being struck by a vehicle in Jalandhar, Punjab. He was 114. Singh was out for a walk in Beas village when he was hit by an unidentified vehicle, suffering severe head injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries, news agency PTI reported. His death was confirmed by author Khushwant Singh, who wrote 'The Turbaned Tornado', a biography of the celebrated athlete. My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3:30 PM today in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja . — Khushwant Singh (@Singhkhushwant) July 14, 2025 A life of endurance and inspiration Born on April 1, 1911, into a farming family, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four siblings. According to his biography, he was unable to walk until the age of five, but later built resilience working on farms and credited his strength to family support and faith. Fauja Singh moved to London in 1993 after the death of his wife Gian Kaur, to live with one of his sons. It was during this time that he took up long walks and running in public parks—habits that would spark an extraordinary late-in-life athletic career. Record-breaking marathon journey In 2000, at the age of 89, Singh ran his first marathon—the London Marathon—after meeting coach Harmandar Singh. Between 2000 and 2011, he completed nine full marathons, including six London Marathons, two Toronto Marathons, and the New York Marathon. He became the first person aged 100 to finish a full marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011 in 8 hours and 11 minutes. Singh also participated in 10-km races globally, including in Hong Kong and Lahore. His participation in the Lahore event drew praise from then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Honours and legacy Fauja Singh was honoured with the Ellis Island Medal of Honour by the National Ethnic Coalition in the US in 2013. In 2015, he received a British Empire Medal for his contributions to sports and charity. He was also chosen as a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, a testament to his global recognition and inspirational journey. Singh retired from competitive running in 2013 but continued to be an icon of perseverance, often seen advocating fitness and mental strength for the elderly.
News18
15-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Who Was Fauja Singh? 114-Year-Old, Who Ran Marathons World Over, Died In Road Accident
Last Updated: Fauja Singh received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honour from the National Ethnic Coalition on November 13, 2003, recognising him as a powerful symbol of racial tolerance. Veteran marathoner Fauja Singh passed away at the age of 114 after being struck by an unidentified vehicle in his native village in Punjab's Jalandhar district. The tragic incident occurred in Bias village, where Singh was out for his routine walk when he was hit, suffering severe head injuries. He succumbed to his injuries later that evening, according to a local police official who confirmed the details. His death was also confirmed by author Khushwant Singh, former Punjab State Information Commissioner, who spoke to members of Fauja Singh's family. Khushwant Singh had chronicled the athlete's extraordinary life in his biography, The Turbaned The 'Sikh Superman' Who Redefined Age And Endurance Fauja Singh, often hailed as the 'Sikh Superman," was born on April 1, 1911, according to his biography. He faced early physical challenges and was unable to walk until the age of five. Initially a casual runner, Singh's life, like many others, was deeply disrupted by the Partition of India, which left lasting personal and emotional scars. Years later, after suffering a series of devastating personal losses, including the deaths of several family members, Singh returned to running as a way to cope with grief and depression. His passion for the sport reignited, he moved to England in the 1990s to live with his son and, remarkably, at the age of 89, he ran his first marathon—the London Marathon—in 2000. What began as a personal comeback soon evolved into a record-setting journey. Singh entered several international marathons, including in Toronto and New York, becoming a global sensation in his age group. Over the years, he completed six full marathons, inspiring people around the world with his determination and spirit. In 2012, he was a special guest at the 2nd Annual Chardikala Run in Malaysia. The event was themed '101 and Running" in honour of his exceptional longevity and achievements. During the closing ceremony, Singh received the prestigious BrandLaureate Award on stage. On February 24, 2013, just weeks shy of his 102nd birthday, Singh ran his final competitive race—a 10-kilometre event at the Hong Kong Marathon, which he completed in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds. While he officially retired from competitive running after that, he expressed his commitment to continue running for personal well-being and to support charitable causes. Fauja Singh's journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the boundless potential of the human spirit, regardless of age. World Records Broken By Fauja Singh 100m – 23.40 seconds (previous 29.83) 200m – 52.23 seconds (previous 77.59 seconds) 400m – 2:13.48 (previous 3:41.00) 800m – 5:32.18 (no previous record) 1,500m – 11:27.00 (previous 16:46.00) Mile – 11:53.45 (no previous record) 3,000m – 24:52.47 (no previous record) 5,000m – 49:57.39 (no previous record) Awards Won By Singh Fauja Singh received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honour from the National Ethnic Coalition on November 13, 2003, recognising him as a powerful symbol of racial tolerance. Remarkably, he was the first non-American ever to be bestowed with the award. In 2011, he was further celebrated with the Pride of India title for his extraordinary achievements and inspiration to millions. A lifelong vegetarian and advocate for healthy living, Singh also holds the distinction of being the oldest man to feature in a PETA campaign. His global appeal even saw him appear in a high-profile advertisement for a major sportswear brand, sharing the screen with legends David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
